Summary: This sermon looks at the role of Gossip in the Fall of humanity.

NOTE: This sermon is available in audio format @ www.sanctuary-church.com

BI -

There is a sin that our society not only embraces, but encourages.

• It seems that when we get a taste of it, we can’t get enough of it.

• It is utterly destructive and yet when we partake in it, we justify it.

• It has the ability to destroy relationships - friends, families, churches - and yet we even invent reasons to be a part of it.

• This sin has been with humanity since the beginning… and it even played a role in the Garden…

• What is this sin? (pause)

Two weeks ago, I talked about the Fall of Humanity, as we studied Genesis, Chapters 2 & 3. At that time, I promised that we would return to this text to focus in on Eve & the Serpent. Today, we are going to do that… and as we do that, we are going to see how this particular sin (that I’ve been referring to) played a role in the Fall. And through that, we are going to think about the role this sin plays in our lives today… and what we might do about it.

If you have a Bible, open it to Genesis, Chapter 2, Verse 15.

GE 2:15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it… you will surely die."

I don’t know if you’ve ever thought about it, but the garden was not only a place of great beauty and supply… but it was also a place of freedom… there was only one rule in the garden – You must not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. And understand this rule was not put in place by a legalistic-dictator, God… but rather, it was put in place by a relational-creator, God in order to protect the man & his bride.

Because when you eat of the tree of knowledge… you will surely die.

Move down to Chapter 3…

GE 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made.

#1. The serpent’s crafty = shrewd = smart & determined = resourceful

• He’s going to get his way… and he’s going to use all his resources to do it.

#2. Who made the serpent? (pause) God did!

As we work our way through this text, one of the things that we need to put into our theological crucible… is the fact that God made the serpent.

• Whatever that means

• Whatever the connotations

• Whatever the fallout

Recognize that God… Yahweh Elohim… the relational-creator God of the universe… created the serpent… and knew of the serpent’s role in the garden… before it ever took place. So, you might ask yourself the question, why did he create the serpent? Why did he allow the serpent to deceive Eve? You see, the story doesn’t tell us, but…

• These are great questions.

• And I think they would benefit you tremendously on your spiritual journey – if you haven’t already wrestled through them.

• You see, I think going down these kinds of rabbit trails – expands your mind & helps make your faith more solid. (use a bible)